Boston College Hockey Remains #2 in USCHO Poll
By Joe Micik
Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Today’s latest USCHO poll revealed that the Minnesota Golden Gophers’ tie against Ohio State this past weekend was not enough to put the Boston College Eagles back on top.
Minnesota remains #1 in the rankings, but this time only taking 29 of 50 first-place votes. Boston College is second once again, picking up ground to 19 out of 50 first-place votes. #3 Union and #4 St. Cloud State also received one first-place vote each.
In the Gophers’ most recent contest against the Buckeyes, they officially tied but lost a shootout. The Eagles fell in their last game against Notre Dame — the team they will face in the Hockey East quarterfinals this weekend.
In order for the Eagles to regain the top spot, and probably the #1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament with it, the calculus is very simple: Boston College will have to win the Hockey East Tournament while Minnesota is going to have to lose at some point during the Big Ten Tournament.
As long as Boston College wins their own trophy, chances are they will be no worse than the second overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, and their trip to Worcester will be virtually certain. Barring something major, they are likely on their way to the DCU Center, anyway.
On the women’s side, Boston College fell to #5 nationally. They are the sixth overall seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.